When Judith Seigle was fired in October as office manager for Bloomington’s Parks and Recreation Department, her bosses suspected her of stealing money. On Friday, they found out just how much: A grand jury indictment alleging wire fraud says she pilfered $400,000 from the Bloomington Parks Foundation and another $30,000 from city accounts from 2010 to 2014.
“Seigle used funds intended for the parks as a piggy bank to benefit herself,” U.S. Attorney Josh Minkler said during a news conference in Bloomington to announce the allegations against Seigle.
Federal grand jurors issued an indictment this week after hearing evidence the Gosport woman, employed by the city for 20 years, used the money to buy a car, go out to dinner, purchase clothing and make credit card payments. She is charged with continuing the practice up until her dismissal from the city department, where she had worked and was trusted with the public’s money since 1994.
She will be allowed to turn herself over to authorities to be arrested. An initial hearing in the case is set for 1:30 p.m Tuesday. If convicted, she could face up to 20 years in prison.
The indictment alleges that 51-year-old Seigle:
• Made 49 purchases totaling $26,787 on a Coldwater Creek credit card issued by Chase Bank between October 2010 and July 2014.
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